Dad is doing ‘summit special’ for charity

An ossett dad is to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for autism.

Lee Chopping’s daughter Betsy-Mae, two, is currently awaiting a diagnosis for the condition.

During the wait for diagnosis, which can unlock vital support for people on the autism spectrum, Lee is determined to raise funds and understanding of autism.

He is drumming up money for The National Autistic Society ahead of his September 2017 mountain ascent in Africa.

He said: “My beautiful daughter is in the process of awaiting a diagnosis of autism and my mission is to spread the word about what autism really is while also financially helping the charity. The trek entails a ten-day push to reach the summit of the highest freestanding mountain in the world.”

The trek is challenging but the main issues are altitude and summit temperatures of -33C.

Lee added: “Taking part for this amazing charity is a huge personal goal and my way of helping the over 700,000 people in the UK on the autism spectrum. The training and the trek will be really difficult, but it’s my way of making sure I can help those who are on the autism spectrum get the support that they need in the way I hope to for my daughter.”